THE WHL BROADCAST BOOTH RANKINGS by REGINA PATS CKRM - ROD PEDERSEN

Taken from - rodpedersen.blog -

1 - Brandt Centre Regina: Mostly because it's home and I've literally done over 1,000 games there. We're situated right at centre ice with a massive broadcast booth which regularly hosts guests. Washrooms nearby and plenty of soft drinks, popcorn and coffee. It is my second home. Well, third, behind the OTHER Press Box ;)

2 - Medicine Hat Arena: I could never figure out why Tiger Voice Bob Ridley gave this booth up ... The visiting broadcast crew is right at centre ice. The public address feed is clean and you're close to the washrooms and concessions (see how important the washrooms are to me?)

3 - Moose Jaw Civic Centre: This would surprise you but I like to be nice and close to the ice so I can see the players' facial expressions under their helmets. You can do this in MJ. In the Crushed Can, the booth is at least roomy enough to include a colour commentator and me, plus G.M. Brent Parker. But that one washroom is sure busy.

4 - Art Hauser Centre Prince Albert: This spot was home for me for a few years so it still has a special place in my heart. Again, you hang right over the penalty box and close to the ice so you can see EXACTLY what's going on out there. Plus you can hang over the side of the booth and kibitz with the fans.

5 - Credit Union Centre Saskatoon: Okay, okay I'll put the CUC in at #5 just because somebody cried I didn't include them yesterday. BUT it's very high up (a puck flipped 30-feet in the air looks like it never left the ice from our vantage point) and there are few amenties. Plus there's a guy-wire right in front the booth at eye level which is a pain. But just before opening faceoff, I always stand back and shake it up and down like the Ultimate Warrior.

6 - Westmann Communications Group Place Brandon: You really can't complain about that spot at all. It's private, roomy and is again, close to the ice. Their lack of a public address feed sucks though. And the night Kelly McCrimmon barged in and yelled at me, I felt the need for added security.

7 - Enmax Centrium Red Deer: Pretty much the identical design as the Regina Agridome with a P.A. feed, lots of soft drinks and your own private box. Gold.

8 - Enmax Centre Lethbridge: Good sightlines but you're seated next to the Lethbridge assistant coach and video guy which is unnerving to a big-mouth like me.

9 - Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary: Gotta love being in an NHL arena but my back gets sore from having to lean over and peak so far down to the ice.

10 - Rexall Place Edmonton: It's got to be rated right close to the Saddledome. The booth is cramped but it's eery to sit in those booths and think of all the talent that's been in there over the years (in our industry).

11 - RecPlex Kootenay: It's a fine spot, right out in the middle of the action basically. Yet you're EXTREMELY close to the fans and their awkward, nosy stares as they pass by. And the old usher that stands right beside you is going to get popped one day. Whenever the Ice score, he leans into the booth and claps his hands right IN YOUR FACE! I heard one of the guys had a problem with him a few years ago; Gallo or Keener I think.

12 - Spokane Arena: This booth probably should've muscled it's way into the Top-5 but we only go there once every two years. A MASSIVE private box to yourself with a tremendous view of the ice. One problem: you have to hit the elevator to find the biffy. But a visit to George Talotti's Red Lion BBQ Pub after the games cures whatever ails you.

13 - Prospera Centre Chilliwack: I like that spot. You're kind of off to yourself and you quite often find yourself peering around at such a beautiful building and some not-so-bad looking fans.

14 - Memorial Coliseum Portland: It's a great spot with lots of history in that old barn. The Glass Palace. But you're situated pretty much right in the crowd and one night I was pelted by mini tinkerbells by angry Winterhawks fans on Taco Bell Night gone awry. The rides out of Portland can be quite interesting too!

15 - Interior Savings Centre Kamloops: Great spot, right at centre ice and your own private booth. And there's a lovely P.A. feed featuring the dulcet tones of Blazers' P.A. man Bill O'Donovan. Players Sports Lounge is right across the street.

16 - Comcast Centre Everett: It's a gorgeous facility much like the MTS Centre in Winnipeg (same colour scheme). This is getting typical: your own booth and great amenities and sightline.

17 - Toyota Center Tri-City: The arena has a majestic feel as you drive up to it since it's situated alone on a giant parking lot and looks grand. Great private booth, great sightlines and the people there seem generally happy to see you whenever we roll through town.

18 - Key Arena Seattle: Yah I know the team's not there anymore but I really liked that place and enjoyed being in the home of the Supersonics. I'll really miss that place. You were a million miles from the action but it had a big-time feel. Also, you're in the crowd but the fans were always nice. Plus a lot of them would sit on the steps beside you just to listen to a Canadian hockey broadcaster.

19 - Prince George Multiplex: It's a wonderful facility with a cramped press box and you're seated RIGHT behind the fans. I had a guy stand up, look at me once and say, "you're the loudest guy that's ever come through here. Can you keep it down?" So I told him to move.

20 - Credit Union I-Plex Swift Current: Need we do this? The beams across the ceiling make it impossible to stand up and call the game so I'm forced to sit down which drives me nuts. I like to have the choice. Hey, the security there in S.C. is awesome. The problem is that I should have to need it. And you need to be Batman to climb the ladder to get to the booth.

21 - Pacific Coliseum Vancouver: Great historic building, but the broadcast booth is garbage. We're in the back row of about four rows of a press box seating that are parked right in the middle of the crowd. I've been threatened with physical assault by a fan because I stood up to see the action and blocked his view. I can't stand that!

22 - Prospera Place Kelowna: Sorry, but I hate it, hate it, hate it. You're in a half-booth with a row of newspaper writers and other teams' GMs right in front of you. Whenever you say something they don't like, they peer over their shoulder and sneer at you. Can't stand it. If they put US in the front row, their ranking would change. But that probably won't happen anytime soon.